A huge gypsy caravan packed with Vaudeville acts, puppeteers and live musicians promises to be one of the more eye-catching theatre shows on offer at this year’s Bradford Festival.

Theatre company Les Enfants Terribles say their caravan will “suspiciously arrive” in Bradford’s City Park filled with “strange characters who entertain, amuse and beguile”.

They say the performance, called Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie, will be “the most mysterious, magical and magnificent experience of your life”.

Salsa, bluegrass, bhangra and rock are also on the menu for the arts and music exvtravaganza, which will be held in City Park over three days this summer.

The festival opens on Friday, June 13, when more than 500 children from 12 local schools will sing songs themed on peace and friendship in the Big Sing for Peace.

There will also be performances by two popular Bradford bands, alternative acoustic-rock band Man Can’t Fly, and Americana five-piece Wilful Missing.

On Saturday, Bradford’s internationally-celebrated theatre company Mind the Gap will stage the world premiere of Gift, a new music and performance piece created in and around a shipping container.

Afro Latin big band Omar Puente’s Raices Cubanas will delight music lovers with infectious salsa, son and charanga rhythms while five-piece bluegrass band Dr Bluegrass and the Illbilly 8 will play foot-stomping bluegrass from “the deep south of England”.

Les Enfants Terribles are also scheduled to perform on Saturday.

Sunday is Mela Day, featuring Punjabi Dhol drummer Johnny Kalsi, who will play global rhythms and contemporary bhangra beats with his Dhol Foundation Big Band.

Further acts will be announced at a later stage.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, portfolio holder for culture, said: “We are delighted to announce that the Bradford Festival will return to City Park this year.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local people to come together and enjoy three days of high quality entertainment.

“We have something for everyone here and entry is free.

“The Festival is part of a high quality programme of events and activities designed to attract people into Bradford city centre and support economic growth.”